Biological Sciences with Professional Training Year (BSc)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
This four-year biological sciences program at Cardiff University emphasizes research and hands-on experience, providing students with a strong foundation in the field. The flexible curriculum allows for specialization, and the sandwich year placement offers valuable real-world experience. Graduates are prepared for diverse careers in research, education, healthcare, and industry, or for further study.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The program's objectives are to:
- Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological sciences
- Develop students' research skills and critical thinking abilities
- Prepare students for a variety of careers in the biological sciences
- Foster a love of learning and a commitment to lifelong learning
The program features:
- A flexible curriculum that allows students to tailor their degree to their interests and aspirations
- A wide range of modules to choose from, covering all aspects of the biological sciences
- A strong emphasis on research, with opportunities for students to participate in research projects from the first year
- A dedicated team of academic staff who are passionate about teaching and research
- A vibrant and supportive learning environment
Outline:
- Year one: Introduces students to the fundamentals of the biological sciences, covering topics such as cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology.
- Year two: Allows for more specialization, with students choosing from a range of modules in their areas of interest.
- Year three: Involves a professional training year where students work in a research or professional setting related to their degree.
- Year four: Focuses on advanced topics and research, with students completing a research project and three additional modules.
Here is a breakdown of the modules by year:
Year One:
- Skills for Science
- Structure and Function of Living Organisms
- Organisms and Environment
- The Dynamic Cell
- Biological Chemistry
- Genetics and Evolution
Year Two:
- Animal Diversity and Adaptation
- Genetics and its Applications
- Ecology Part A
- Ecology Part B
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology of the Gene
- Physiology
- Concepts of Disease
- Practical Anatomy
- Brain and Behaviour
- Fundamental Neuroscience
Year Three:
Sandwich Year
Year Four:
- Bioscience Final Year Project
- Plants for the Future: Frontiers in Plant Science
- Ecosystems, Sustainability and Global Change
- Evolution and Adaptation
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
- Infection Biology and Epidemiology
- Systems Biology
- The 'omics Revolution (Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics)
- Advanced Cell Biology and Imaging
- Genes to Genomes
- Synthetic Biology and Protein Engineering
- Current Topics in Development, Stem Cells and Repair
- Contemporary Topics in Disease
- Cancer: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics
- Advances in Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Musculoskeletal System: Disease, Repair and Regenerative Medicine
- Neurobiology of Brain Disorders
- Systems Neuroscience
Assessment:
Examinations
are typically used to assess knowledge and understanding of key concepts.
Coursework
may include essays, reports, practical write-ups, presentations, and group projects. Coursework is used to assess a range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
Presentations
are used to assess students' ability to communicate their research findings effectively to a variety of audiences.
Teaching:
Seminars are used to discuss readings and engage in critical thinking. Practical classes provide students with the opportunity to apply their learning in a hands-on setting. Workshops are used to develop specific skills. Field trips allow students to experience the biological sciences firsthand.
Careers:
Some of the most common career paths for graduates of the program include:
- Research scientist
- Academic researcher
- Secondary school teacher
- Biomedical scientist
- Environmental consultant
- Pharmaceutical scientist
- Science communicator
Other:
Fees for home status
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase. Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Costs for sandwich years
During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, placement year or year abroad) a lower fee will apply.
Additional costs
Field courses which take place abroad incur an additional cost – primarily to cover student travel and accommodation. We also offer some excellent Wales-based field courses which do not incur additional costs. The University will provide IT facilities (in a communal space), laboratories equipped with specialist equipment, and all specialist software required for the course. Students are advised to have a personal laptop computer or equivalent.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
